Apparatus for Modifying or Maintaining the Temperature of Foods and/or Other Like Products and Methods for Using the Same

ABSTRACT

An apparatus modifies or maintains the temperature of food products and/or other like products. Specifically, the apparatus is a container for holding food products and/or other like products requiring a reduced, increased or maintained temperature, such as a food serving bowl or a container of like configuration, wherein the container includes an outer shell, an inner shell, at least one void between the outer shell and the inner shell, and at least one vessel for containing temperature-increasing or temperature-reducing material, such as fluid, wherein the vessel is shaped to fill the void between the inner and the outer shells.

The present invention claims priority to U.S. Provisional PatentApplication No. 61/336,541, filed on Jan. 25, 2010, which isincorporated herein in its entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to an apparatus for modifying ormaintaining the temperature of food products and/or other like products.Specifically, the present invention provides a container for holdingfood products and/or other like products requiring a reduced, increasedor maintained temperature, such as a food serving bowl or a container oflike configuration, wherein the food serving container includes an outershell, an inner shell, at least one void between the outer shell and theinner shell, and at least one vessel for containingtemperature-increasing or temperature-reducing material, such as fluid,wherein the vessel is shaped to fill the void section between the innerand the outer shells. The present invention further relates to a methodof using the apparatus for reducing, increasing and/or maintaining thetemperature of foods and/or other like products requiring reduced orincreased temperatures.

BACKGROUND

It is, of course, generally known to utilize a container for the holdingand/or serving of foods or other like products. Typically, food may beprepared, either by cooking or simply mixing ingredients together, toform a desired dish. The food may be best served either cool or cold,such as foods that are mixed with fresh ingredients that are not cooked.For example, one may blend fruit and/or vegetables together to form asalad or other like food product. The temperature of the food productshould ideally be maintained at a lower temperature to keep the foodproducts contained therein fresh.

Specifically, when a food product that must maintain reducedtemperatures is made, it is typically transferred to a holding containerand/or a serving container. Keeping the food product cool until eatingmay be as simple as storing the container within a refrigeration unit toreduce its temperature or to otherwise maintain its reduced temperature.However, it may be difficult to maintain the reduced temperature of thefood contained therein when serving the food because the food istypically removed from the refrigeration unit upon serving the same.Moreover, it may be difficult to maintain the reduced temperature of thefood product if the food product must be transported to an alternatesite for serving the same. For example, a fruit salad may be preparedfor a summertime barbecue. The fruit salad may be made and stored withina refrigeration unit until it is time to attend the summertime barbecue.Upon departure, the fruit salad may be removed from the refrigerationunit and transported. If the barbecue is on a particularly hot day, itmay be very difficult to maintain the temperature of the fruit salad.

In addition, it may be difficult to reduce the temperature or maintainthe temperature of a large batch of a food product, such as a largesalad or the like. Typically refrigerators in people's home may onlyhave a limited capacity, and may already be filled with other foodproducts. If a large batch of a food product must maintain a reducedtemperature, it may be difficult to accomplish since the food holdingcontainer or serving container may be too large to fit within arefrigeration unit.

Reducing the temperature or maintaining the reduced temperature of afood product may be important for a number of reasons. Of course,individuals may prefer to have foods served at reduced temperatures ifthe food is meant to be enjoyed at a reduced temperature. Moreover, foodproducts may be susceptible to bacterial or fungal growth if notmaintained at a reduced temperature.

In addition, many food products are cooked and are meant to be servedhot or warm. These food products may be prepared by cooking, such as ona stove, in an oven, over an open flame, such as on a grill, via amicrowave oven, or any other method known for preparing cooked food.However, it may be difficult to maintain the increased temperature ofthe food product after removal from a heat source. For example, chilimay be prepared on a stovetop. Once the chili is removed from theheating element, it immediately begins to cool to ambient temperatures.

As with foods that are meant to be served cool, cooked food products maybe preferred hot or warm by individuals. Likewise, some cooked foodproducts may be preferred to be served or maintained at a reducedtemperature, such as gelatin desserts or other like food products.

A need, therefore, exists for an apparatus and methods of using the samewhereby the apparatus holds and/or stores food products and/or otherlike products meant to be held and/or stored at reduced temperaturesLikewise, a need exists for an apparatus and methods of using the samewhereby the apparatus holds and/or stores food products and/or otherlike products meant to be held or stored at increased temperatures.

In addition, a need exists for an apparatus and methods of using thesame whereby food products and/or other like products that are meant tobe held and/or stored at reduced temperatures are maintained at thereduced temperature, especially after removal from a refrigeration unit.Likewise, a need exists for an apparatus and methods of using the samewhereby food products and/or other like products that are meant to beheld and/or stored at an increased temperature are maintained at theincreased temperature.

Moreover, a need exists for an apparatus and methods of using the samewhereby the apparatus contains removable vessels that may be filled withmaterial at a reduced temperature or at an increased temperatures forreducing or increasing the temperature of food products and/or otherlike products contained within the apparatus and/or maintains thereduced or increased temperature of the food products and/or other likeproducts contained within the apparatus.

Further, a need exists for an apparatus and methods of using the samewhereby the apparatus provides removable and/or separable pieces foreasily cleaning the apparatus and/or for removing the vessels forfilling the same with material at reduced or increased temperatures.

Still further, a need exists for an apparatus and methods of using thesame whereby the vessels may be removed and/or filled withtemperature-reducing or temperature-increasing material and storedseparate from the remainder of the apparatus until use, such as in arefrigeration unit, without necessitating the storage of the remainderof the apparatus to be stored within the refrigeration unit.

In addition, a need exists for an apparatus and methods of using thesame that allows a secure covering or lid to be disposed over theapparatus for further reducing or increasing the temperature of foodproducts and/or other like products contained within the apparatus, ormaintaining the reduced or increased temperature of the food productsand/or other like products contained within the apparatus.

Moreover, a need exists for an apparatus and methods of using the samethat provides a secure covering or lid to be disposed over theapparatus, wherein the secure covering or lid may be easily removedtherefrom when desired to obtain or access the food products and/orother like products contained within the apparatus.

Still further, a need exists for an apparatus and methods of using thesame that allows an enclosure to form between an outer shell and aninner shell when the inner shell is nested within the outer shell, yetwherein the inner shell is easily removable from the outer shell.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to an apparatus for modifying ormaintaining the temperature of food products and/or other like products.Specifically, the present invention provides a container for holdingfood products and/or other like products requiring a reduced, increasedor maintained temperature, such as a food serving bowl or a container oflike configuration, wherein the food serving container includes an outershell, an inner shell, at least one void between the outer shell and theinner shell, and at least one vessel for containingtemperature-increasing or temperature-reducing material, such as fluid,wherein the vessel is shaped to fill the void between the inner and theouter shells. The present invention further relates to a method of usingthe apparatus for reducing, increasing and/or maintaining thetemperature of foods and/or other like products requiring reduced orincreased temperatures.

To this end, in an embodiment of the present invention, an apparatus formodifying a temperature of a product or maintaining a modifiedtemperature of a product is provided. The apparatus comprises an outershell and an inner shell, wherein the inner shell is nested within theouter shell; a void between the outer shell and the inner shell, thevoid having a three-dimensional shape; and a vessel disposed in the voidbetween the outer shell and the inner shell, the vessel having a shape,wherein the shape of the vessel is generally the same as the shape ofthe void between the outer shell and the inner shell, wherein the vesselcontains a temperature modifying material therein.

In an embodiment, the outer shell and the inner shell are bowl-shaped.

In an embodiment, the inner shell has an outer surface and the outershell has an inner surface and further comprises ribs disposed on theinner surface of the outer shell forming the void when the inner shellis nested within the outer shell, wherein the void is bounded by theouter surface of the inner shell and the inner surface of the outershell and the ribs.

In an embodiment, the inner shell has an outer surface and the outershell has an inner surface and further comprises ribs disposed on theinner surface of the outer shell forming a plurality of voids when theinner shell is nested within the outer shell, wherein the voids arebounded by the outer surface of the inner shell and the inner surface ofthe outer shell and the ribs.

In an embodiment, the apparatus further comprises a plurality ofvessels, each of the plurality of vessels contained within one of theplurality of voids formed when the inner shell is nested with the outershell.

In an embodiment, the temperature-modifying material is selected fromthe group consisting of a temperature reducing material and atemperature increasing material.

In an embodiment, the inner shell has an inner surface, and furtherwherein the inner shell comprises a plurality of chambers on the innersurface, the chambers separated by at least one wall for holdingproducts within the plurality of chambers.

In an embodiment, the inner shell has an outer surface and the outershell has an inner surface and further comprises ribs disposed on theinner surface of the outer shell forming a plurality of voids when theinner shell is nested within the outer shell, wherein the voids arebounded by the outer surface of the inner shell and the inner surface ofthe outer shell and the ribs; and a plurality of vessels, each of theplurality of vessels contained within a void formed when the inner shellis nested with the outer shell, wherein at least one of the plurality ofvessels has a temperature reducing material therein, and one of theplurality of vessels has a temperature increasing material therein.

In an embodiment, the outer shell has an upper edge and further whereinthe inner shell has an upper edge, further comprises an outwardlydisposed flange running around the perimeter of the upper edge of theouter shell; an outwardly disposed flange running around the perimeterof the upper edge of the inner shell, wherein the outwardly disposedflange of the inner shell rests on the outwardly disposed flange of theouter shell when the inner shell is nested with the outer shell.

In an embodiment, the apparatus further comprises at least onedepression in the outwardly disposed flange of the outer shell.

In an alternate embodiment of the present invention, a method of usingan apparatus for modifying a temperature of a product or maintaining amodified temperature of a product is provided. The method comprises thesteps of providing an outer shell having an inner surface; disposing avessel on the inner surface of the outer shell wherein the vesselcontains a temperature-modifying material therein, and further whereinthe vessel has a three-dimensional shape; providing an inner shellhaving an outer surface; nesting the inner shell within the outer shell;and forming a void between the outer shell and the inner shell, the voidhaving a shape corresponding to the shape of the vessel, wherein thevessel is contained within the void.

In an embodiment, the outer shell and the inner shell are bowl-shaped.

In an embodiment, the method further comprises the step of providingribs disposed on the inner surface of the outer shell forming the voidwhen the inner shell is nested within the outer shell, wherein the voidis bounded by the outer surface of the inner shell and the inner surfaceof the outer shell and the ribs, and further wherein the vessel iscontained within the void bounded by the ribs.

In an embodiment, the method further comprises the steps of providingribs disposed on the inner surface of the outer shell forming aplurality of voids when the inner shell is nested within the outershell, wherein the voids are bounded by the outer surface of the innershell and the inner surface of the outer shell and the ribs; andproviding a plurality of vessels, each vessel contained within one ofthe plurality of voids.

In an embodiment, the method further comprises the step of filling thevessel with a temperature reducing material.

In an embodiment, the temperature-modifying material is selected fromthe group consisting of a temperature reducing material and temperatureincreasing material.

In an embodiment, the inner shell has an inner surface, and furtherwherein the inner shell comprises a plurality of chambers on the innersurface, the chambers separated by at least one wall for holdingproducts within the plurality of chambers.

In an embodiment, the method further comprises the steps of providing aplurality of chambers within the inner shell for holding products;providing a first chamber disposed adjacent the first vessel filled withthe temperature reducing material; and providing a second chamberdisposed adjacent the second vessel filled with the temperatureincreasing material.

In an embodiment, the method further comprises the steps of providing anupper edge on the outer shell and an upper edge on the inner shell;providing an outwardly disposed flange running around the perimeter ofthe upper edge of the outer shell; providing an outwardly disposedflange running around the perimeter of the upper edge of the innershell; and disposing the outwardly disposed flange of the inner shell onthe outwardly disposed flange of the outer shell when the inner shell isnested with the outer shell.

In an embodiment, the method further comprises the steps of providing atleast one depression in the outwardly disposed flange of the outershell; removing the inner shell from the outer shell by separating theflange of the inner shell from the flange of the outer shell at thedepression.

It is, therefore, an advantage of the present invention to provide anapparatus and methods of using the same whereby the apparatus holdsand/or stores food products and/or other like products meant to be heldand/or stored at reduced temperatures. Likewise, it is an advantage ofthe present invention to provide an apparatus and methods of using thesame whereby the apparatus holds and/or stores food products and/orother like products meant to be held or stored at increasedtemperatures.

In addition, it is an advantage of the present invention to provide anapparatus and methods of using the same whereby food products and/orother like products that are meant to be held and/or stored at reducedtemperatures are maintained at the reduced temperature, especially afterremoval from a refrigeration unit. Likewise, it is an advantage of thepresent invention to provide an apparatus and methods of using the samewhereby food products and/or other like products that are meant to beheld and/or stored at an increased temperature are maintained at theincreased temperature.

Moreover, it is an advantage of the present invention to provide anapparatus and methods of using the same whereby the apparatus containsremovable vessels that may be filled with material at a reducedtemperature or at an increased temperatures for reducing or increasingthe temperature of food products and/or other like products containedwithin the apparatus and/or maintaining the reduced or increasedtemperature of the food products and/or other like products containedwithin the apparatus.

Further, it is an advantage of the present invention to provide anapparatus and methods of using the same whereby the apparatus providesremovable and/or separable components for easily cleaning the apparatusand/or for removing the vessels for filling the same with material atreduced or increased temperatures.

Still further, it is an advantage of the present invention to provide anapparatus and methods of using the same whereby the vessels may beremoved and/or filled with temperature-reducing ortemperature-increasing material and stored separately from the remainderof the apparatus until use, such as in a refrigeration unit, withoutnecessitating the storage of the entirety of the apparatus within therefrigeration unit.

In addition, it is an advantage of the present invention to provide anapparatus and methods of using the same that allow a secure covering orlid to be disposed over the apparatus for further reducing or increasingthe temperature of food products and/or other like products containedwithin the apparatus, or maintaining the reduced or increasedtemperature of the food products and/or other like products containedwithin the apparatus.

Moreover, it is an advantage of the present invention to provide anapparatus and methods of using the same provide a secure covering or lidto be disposed over the apparatus, wherein the secure covering or lidmay be easily removed therefrom when desired to obtain or access thefood products and/or other like products contained within the apparatus.

Still further, it is an advantage of the present invention to provide anapparatus and methods of using the same that allows an enclosure to formbetween an outer shell and an inner shell when the inner shell is nestedwithin the outer shell, yet wherein the inner shell is easily removablefrom the outer shell.

Additional features and advantages of the present invention aredescribed in, and will be apparent from, the detailed description of thepresently preferred embodiments and from the drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The drawing figures depict one or more implementations in accord withthe present concepts, by way of example only, not by way of limitations.In the figures, like reference numerals refer to the same or similarelements.

FIG. 1 illustrates an exploded side view of a container and nested partsfor modifying or maintaining the temperature of food products and/orother like products contained therein in an embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIGS. 2A, 2B and 2C illustrate a perspective view, a top view and a sideview, respectively, of an outer bowl in an embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 3 illustrates a section view along line III-III in an embodiment ofthe present invention.

FIGS. 4A, 4B and 4C illustrate a perspective view, a top view and a sideview, respectively, of an inner bowl in an embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIGS. 5A, 5B, 5C and 5D illustrate a perspective view, a top view, afront view and a side view, respectively, of a temperature-modifyingvessel in an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 illustrates an exploded side view of a container and nested partsin an alternate embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 illustrates a perspective view of an outer tray in the alternateembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 illustrates a perspective view of an inner tray in the alternateembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 illustrates a perspective view of a temperature-modifying vesselin the alternate embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 illustrates a perspective view of an alternatetemperature-modifying vessel in the alternate embodiment of the presentinvention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENTLY PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The present invention relates to an apparatus for modifying ormaintaining the temperature of food products and/or other like products.Specifically, the present invention provides a container for holdingfood products and/or other like products requiring a reduced, increasedor maintained temperature, such as a food serving bowl or a container oflike configuration, wherein the container comprises an outer shell, aninner shell, at least one void between the outer shell and the innershell, and at least one vessel for containing temperature-increasing ortemperature-reducing material, such as fluid, wherein the vessel isshaped to fill the void between the inner and the outer shells. Thepresent invention further relates to a method of using the apparatus forreducing, increasing and/or maintaining the temperature of foods and/orother like products requiring reduced or increased temperatures.Specifically, the at least one vessel may be filled with atemperature-reducing or temperature-increasing material, such as afluid, to reduce, increase or maintain the temperature of the food orother like products contained within the apparatus.

Now referring to the drawings, wherein like numerals refer to likeparts, FIG. 1 illustrates an exploded side view of a container 10 and aplurality of nested parts for modifying or maintaining the temperatureof food products and/or other like product contained therein in anembodiment of the present invention. Specifically, the container 10includes an outer bowl 12 and an inner bowl 14. The inner bowl 14 nestswithin the outer bowl 12 forming voids between the outer bowl 12 and theinner bowl 14. Preferably, the outer bowl 12 and the inner bowl 14 areroughly the same shape, although the inner bowl 14 is smaller in shapeand size to be nested within the outer bowl 12 and to provide the voidsbetween the outer bowl 12 and the inner bowl 14. Both the outer bowl 12and the inner bowl 14 may preferably be made from plastic or other likeresilient material that may withstand the increase and decrease intemperature caused by the increased or reduced temperatures, as notedbelow.

Disposed between the outer bowl 12 and the inner bowl 14 are one or morevessels 16. The vessels 16 may be shaped to fit the voids formed betweenthe outer bowl 12 and the inner bowl 14. Preferably, the vessels 16 havea three-dimensional shape and are generally identical in size and shaperelative to the voids between the outer bowl 12 and the inner bowl 14 tosnugly fit in the voids, especially when the inner bowl 14 is nestedwithin the outer bowl 12, and to maximize the energy transfer betweenthe vessels and the food products and/or other like products formaintaining the reduced or increased temperature of the food productsand/or other like products.

The vessels 16 may preferably be hollow to receive atemperature-modifying material therein. For example, the vessels 16 mayreceive a fluid, such as water or other like fluid, that may be disposedin a freezer for a period of time. Specifically, if the fluid is wateror similar liquid, the vessels 16 may be disposed in a freezer untilfrozen, then placed within the outer bowl 12 in the voids and nestedwith the inner bowl 14. The cold or frozen water within the vessels 16may maintain a reduced temperature of food products and other likeproducts that may be disposed within the inner bowl 14. Alternatively,heated material, such as boiling water, may be disposed within thevessels 16 and the vessels may be placed within the outer bowl 12 in thevoids and nested with the inner bowl 14. The hot water within thevessels 16 may maintain an increased temperature of food products and/orother like products that may be disposed within the inner bowl 14.

Preferably, a cap 18 is disposed on each vessel 16 to tightly seal thetemperature-modifying material within the vessels 16. In an embodiment,the cap may be threaded so as to provide a tight seal to maintain thetemperature-modifying material within the vessels 16 without leakage.Alternatively, a non-threaded cap may be utilized so long as the capsufficiently seals the temperature modifying material therein.Preferably, the cap is easily removed for filling and/or emptying thecontents of the vessels.

Alternatively, the vessels 16 may be permanently sealed, and may containa material that may be reduced in temperature and/or increased intemperature. For example, the vessels 16 may include a material, such asa gel, fluid, solid, or other material that may be frozen or otherwisereduced in temperature and/or increased in temperature, such as heatedvia conventional heating means, such as an oven, stovetop container,microwave or other like heating means.

As shown in FIG. 1, the outer bowl 12 may include a flange 20 runningalong the upper edge of the outer bowl 12. The flange 20 may include oneor more depressions 22 disposed within the flange 20. The inner bowl 14may further include a flange 24 disposed on the upper edge of the innerbowl 14 and running along the upper edge of the inner bowl 14. As theinner bowl 14 is nested with the outer bowl 12, the flange 24 of theinner bowl 14 may directly contact or otherwise rest upon the flange 20of the outer bowl 12. Preferably, the flange 24 of the inner bowl 14rests atop the flange 20 of the inner bowl 12 to generally fully enclosethe voids and the vessels 16 contained therein. This may allow thetemperature-modifying material to be maximally directed to the foodproducts and/or other like products contained within the inner bowl 14.

The one or more depressions 22 contained within the flange 20 of theouter bowl 12 allows a finger of a user or other like instrument toseparate the outer bowl 12 from the inner bowl 14 when the user wishesto access the vessels 16 disposed within the voids between the outerbowl 12 and the inner bowl 14. As noted, the flange 20 includes at leastone depression 22. Preferably, the flange 20 may include a pluralitydepressions 22 disposed around the entire flange 20 for ease in findingand using the depression to remove the outer bowl 12 from the inner bowl14.

A lid 26 may be disposed on a top of the container 10 to enclose thenested inner bowl 14, the vessels 16, the outer bowl 12 and any foodproduct or other like product contained therein. The lid may include adownwardly disposed flange 28 running the perimeter of the lid 26 thatallows the lid to surround the flanges 20, 24 of the outer bowl 12 andthe inner bowl 14, respectively. The flange more fully encloses thecontainer to allow the container to better maintain the reduced orincreased temperature of the food products contained therein.

FIGS. 2A, 2B and 2C illustrate various views of the outer bowl 12, in anembodiment of the present invention. Specifically, FIG. 2A illustrates aperspective view of the outer bowl 12. As shown, the outer bowl 12 mayinclude the flange 20 having the one or more depressions 22 disposedaround the flange 20. Further, the outer bowl 12 may include one or moreribs 50 disposed on an inner surface of the outer bowl 12. The one ormore ribs 50 may define the boundaries of the voids 52 contained withinthe outer bowl 12 and formed when the inner bowl 14 is nested within theouter bowl 12. The one or more ribs 50 may further contain the vessels16 that may be disposed in the voids 52 between the outer bowl 12 andthe inner bowl 14.

FIG. 2B illustrates a top view of the outer bowl 12 in an embodiment ofthe present invention. As noted above, the outer bowl 12 includes theone or more ribs 50. As shown in FIG. 2B, the container preferably mayhave four ribs 50 that run, generally, from a top edge of the outer bowl12 to the bottom of the outer bowl 12 on the inside surface of the outerbowl 12. FIG. 2B further illustrates the voids 52 defined by the ribs 50and formed when the inner bowl 14 is nested inside the outer bowl 12.

FIG. 2C illustrates a side view of the outer bowl 12, and further showsthe depressions 22 disposed in the flange 20 of the outer bowl 12.Preferably, the outer bowl includes a flat underside 54 so that theouter bowl 12 may lay flat on a table, counter, or other like surfaceand maintain its upward disposition. Further, the outer bowl 12preferably may have a curved or otherwise arcuately-shaped outer andinner surface.

FIG. 3 is a section view of the outer bowl 12, viewed along lineIII-III, in an embodiment of the present invention. The outer bowl 12may include the ribs 50 forming the voids 52 between the ribs 50 andformed when the inner bowl 14 is nested with the outer bowl 12. Asillustrated in FIG. 3, the ribs 50 further may be arcuately-shaped inthe same manner as the outer and inner surfaces of the outer bowl 12.The inner bowl 14, when nested within the outer bowl 12, may rest on theribs 50 thereby forming the voids 52 between the outer bowl 12 and theinner bowl 14, and bounded by the ribs 50.

FIGS. 4A, 4B and 4C illustrate various views of the inner bowl 14 in anembodiment of the present invention. Specifically, FIG. 4A illustrates aperspective view of the inner bowl 14. As shown in FIG. 4A, the innerbowl 14 may include the flange 24 disposed around the perimeter of theupper edge of the inner bowl. Food products and/or other like productsrequiring a reduced or increased temperature may preferably be containedwithin the inner bowl 14.

FIG. 4B illustrates a top view of the inner bowl 14. The top viewillustrates the flange 24 disposed around the perimeter of the upperedge of the inner bowl 14. FIG. 4C illustrates a side view of the innerbowl 14. FIG. 4C illustrates the flange 24 and the side of the innerbowl, which is shown as curved or arcuately-shaped. Preferably, theshape of the side of the inner bowl 14 may be the same shape as theinner surface of the outer bowl 12, as shown in FIGS. 2A-2C and 3. Bynesting the inner bowl 14 within the outer bowl 12, the voids 52preferably may include parallel surfaces for disposing the vessels 16therein. Moreover, as illustrated in FIG. 4C, the inner bowl 14preferably may have a flat bottom surface, similar to the flat bottomsurface of the outer bowl 12.

FIGS. 5A, 5B, 5C and 5D illustrate various views of a vessel 16 that maybe contained between the outer bowl 12 and the inner bowl 14, in anembodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5A illustrates the vessel 16shaped to fit within a void formed by the nesting of the inner bowl 14inside the outer bowl 12, and bounded by the ribs 50, as illustrated inFIGS. 2A-2C and 3. Moreover, the vessel includes a fill nozzle 60.Preferably, the fill nozzle 60 may be threaded to receive a cap to sealthe vessel when filled with fluid. FIG. 5B illustrates a top view of thevessel showing the fill nozzle 60. FIG. 5C illustrates a front view ofthe vessel 16, including the fill nozzle 60. Finally, FIG. 5Dillustrates a side view of the vessel 16. FIG. 5D further illustratesthe vessel 16 with curved or arcuately-shaped sides that fits snuglywithin the voids 52 formed between the outer bowl 12 and the inner bowl14. Moreover, the vessel 16 further may fit snugly in one of the voids52 bounded by the ribs 50, as described above.

Further, as noted above, the vessel 16 may preferably be filled with afluid that may be cooled or heated so as to maintain the reduced orincreased temperature within the container 10. As illustrated, aplurality of vessels may be disposed within a plurality of voids betweenthe outer bowl 12 and the inner bowl 14 for maintaining the reduced orincreased temperature of food products and/or other like productscontained within the inner bowl 14. Alternatively, one or more vessels16 may be filled with a fluid maintaining a reduced temperature, and oneor more vessels 16 may be filled with a fluid maintaining an increasedtemperature, such that the container maintains both a reducedtemperature and an increased temperature within different locationswithin the container 10. Alternatively, the container 10 may furtherinclude dividers within the inner bowl 14 for maintaining a separationbetween the increased temperature products and the reduced temperatureproducts. Alternatively, the inner bowl 12 may have chambers integrallyformed within the inner bowl 12 for the placement of reduced temperatureproducts and increased temperature products, respectively. Moreover, thechambers may maintain the reduced temperature or the increasedtemperature of a plurality of food products or other like products thatare separated by the chambers.

Referring now to FIG. 6, an alternate embodiment of present invention isillustrated. Specifically, FIG. 6 illustrates an exploded side view of acontainer 100 for holding food products and/or other like products.Specifically, the container 100 includes an outer tray 102 and an innertray 104, one or more vessels 106 and 108 for disposing between theouter tray 102 and the inner tray 104. As with the previous embodimentillustrated and described above with respect to FIGS. 1-5D, the innertray 104 may nest within the outer tray 102, and the vessels 106, 108may be disposed in voids between the inner tray 104 and the outer tray102 to hold temperature-modifying material, such as fluid, gel, solidsand other like material for modifying or maintaining a reduced orincreased temperature of food products and/or other like productscontained within the container 100. A lid 110 may also be provided forholding the products within and for aiding in the modification of thetemperature within the container 100 or maintaining a reduced and/orincreased temperature within in the container 100.

FIG. 7 illustrates a perspective view of the outer tray 102 of thecontainer 100. As illustrated, outer tray 102 includes a plurality ofchambers 112 separated by walls 114 that form the boundaries for thechambers 112. As illustrated, the chambers 112 are, generally,wedge-shaped and the walls 114 form spokes emanating from a central area116, which is cylindrical. However, it should be noted that the shapesof the chambers 112 and/or the central area 116 may be any shapeapparent to one having ordinary skill in the art and should not belimited as described herein.

FIG. 8 illustrates a perspective view of the inner tray 104 of thecontainer 100. As illustrated, inner tray 104 includes a plurality ofchambers 122 separated by walls 124 that form the boundaries for thechambers 122. As illustrated, the chambers 122 may be, generally,wedge-shaped and the walls 124 form spokes emanating from a central area126, which is cylindrical in shape. However, it should be noted that theshapes of the chambers 122 and the central area 126 may be any shapeapparent to one having ordinary skill in the art and should not belimited as described herein. The inner tray 104 may have, generally, thesame shape as the outer tray 102 such that the inner tray 104 nestswithin the outer tray 102. Voids are formed between the inner tray 104and the outer tray 102. Vessels 106, 108 may be disposed within thevoids, as described above, and with reference to FIGS. 9 and 10, below.

FIG. 9 illustrates the vessel 106 for disposing within a void formedbetween the inner tray 104 and the outer tray 102 when the inner tray104 is nested within the outer tray 102. The vessel 106 includes a fillnozzle 130. The fill nozzle 130 allows the vessel 106 to be filled witha temperature reducing or temperature increasing material, as describedherein. Further, a cap may be provided to seal the material within thevessel 106. The cap may be threaded or unthreaded as apparent to one ofordinary skill in the art.

The vessel 106 may be generally wedge-shaped to fit within awedge-shaped void formed by nesting the inner tray 104 with the outertray 102. The vessel 106 may lay generally flat so as to be disposedbeneath the chambers disposed in the inner tray 104. Preferably, thevessel 106 is made from a plastic material or other like material usefulfor allowing the temperature-modifying material to affect the foodproducts contained within the container 100.

FIG. 10 illustrates the vessel 108 for disposing within a space formedbetween the inner tray 104 and the outer tray 102 when the inner tray104 is nested within the outer tray 102. The vessel 108 includes a fillnozzle 132. The fill nozzle 132 allows the vessel 108 to be filled witha temperature reducing or temperature increasing material, as describedherein. Further, a cap may be provided to seal the material within thevessel 108. The cap may be threaded or unthreaded as apparent to one ofordinary skill in the art.

The vessel 108 may be generally cylindrically-shaped or partiallycylindrically-shaped to fit between the inner tray 104 and the outertray 102 in the location of the cylindrically-shaped central area 116 ofthe outer tray 102 and the cylindrically-shaped central area 126 of theinner tray 104. One or more vessels 108 may fit within a void formed bynesting the inner tray 104 with the outer tray 102. The vessel 108 maybe disposed so as to wrap around the central area 126 of the inner tray104. Preferably, the vessel 108 is made from a plastic material or otherlike material useful for allowing the temperature modifying material toaffect the food products contained within the container 100.

The chambers 112 of the outer tray 102 and the chambers 126 of the innertray may allow a plurality of different food products and/or other likeproducts to be contained within the container 100 without mixing. Forexample, the food products may each require a reduced temperature suchthat all vessels contained within the container 100 have a temperaturereducing material or otherwise maintain a reduced temperature within thecontainer 100. Alternatively, the food products may each require anincreased temperature such that all vessels contained within thecontainer 100 have a temperature increasing material or otherwisemaintain an increased temperature within the container 100. Moreover,the container 100 may hold some food products and/or other like productsrequiring a reduced temperature and some food products and/or other likeproducts requiring an increased temperature. Thus, some of the vesselsdisposed between the outer tray 102 and the inner tray 104 may be filledwith temperature reducing material and some of the vessels disposedbetween the outer tray 102 and the inner tray 104 may be filled withtemperature increasing material. The vessels containing the temperaturereducing material may be disposed in locations to maintain a reducedtemperature of the chambers holding food products or other like productsrequiring a reduced temperature. Alternately, the vessels containing thetemperature increasing material may be disposed in locations to maintainan increased temperature of the chambers holding food products or otherlike products requiring an increased temperature. Further, the container100 may have insulating material in various locations, such as in thewalls 114, 124 to better separate the local effect of the temperaturereducing or temperature increasing material within the chambers 112,122.

As noted herein, the containers 10 and 100, and the various componentsthereof, may be made from a thermoplastic material, although othermaterials, such as metal, wood, or any other material may be utilizedapparent to one having ordinary skill in the art. Any method ofmanufacturing the containers 10, 100 and the various components thereof,as described herein, may be suitable, such as injection molding,thermoforming, blow molding or machining, as apparent to one havingordinary skill in the art.

It should be noted that various changes and modifications to thepresently preferred embodiments described herein will be apparent tothose skilled in the art. Such changes and modifications may be madewithout departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention andwithout diminishing its attendant advantages.

1. An apparatus for modifying a temperature of a product or maintaininga modified temperature of a product comprising: an outer shell and aninner shell, wherein the inner shell is nested within the outer shell; avoid between the outer shell and the inner shell, the void having athree-dimensional shape; and a vessel disposed in the void between theouter shell and the inner shell, the vessel having a shape, wherein theshape of the vessel is generally the same as the shape of the voidbetween the outer shell and the inner shell, wherein the vessel containsa temperature modifying material therein.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1wherein the outer shell and the inner shell are bowl-shaped.
 3. Theapparatus of claim 1 wherein the inner shell has an outer surface andthe outer shell has an inner surface and further comprising: ribsdisposed on the inner surface of the outer shell forming the void whenthe inner shell is nested within the outer shell, wherein the void isbounded by the outer surface of the inner shell and the inner surface ofthe outer shell and the ribs.
 4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein theinner shell has an outer surface and the outer shell has an innersurface and further comprising: ribs disposed on the inner surface ofthe outer shell forming a plurality of voids when the inner shell isnested within the outer shell, wherein the voids are bounded by theouter surface of the inner shell and the inner surface of the outershell and the ribs.
 5. The apparatus of claim 4 further comprising: aplurality of vessels, each of the plurality of vessels contained withinone of the plurality of voids formed when the inner shell is nested withthe outer shell.
 6. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein thetemperature-modifying material is selected from the group consisting ofa temperature reducing material and a temperature increasing material.7. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the inner shell has an innersurface, and further wherein the inner shell comprises a plurality ofchambers on the inner surface, the chambers separated by at least onewall for holding products with in the plurality of chambers.
 8. Theapparatus of claim 1 wherein the inner shell has an outer surface andthe outer shell has an inner surface and further comprising: ribsdisposed on the inner surface of the outer shell forming a plurality ofvoids when the inner shell is nested within the outer shell, wherein thevoids are bounded by the outer surface of the inner shell and the innersurface of the outer shell and the ribs; and a plurality of vessels,each of the plurality of vessels contained within a void formed when theinner shell is nested with the outer shell, wherein at least one of theplurality of vessels has a temperature reducing material therein, andone of the plurality of vessels has a temperature increasing materialtherein.
 9. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the outer shell has anupper edge and further wherein the inner shell has an upper edge,further comprising: an outwardly disposed flange running around theperimeter of the upper edge of the outer shell; and an outwardlydisposed flange running around the perimeter of the upper edge of theinner shell, wherein the outwardly disposed flange of the inner shellrests on the outwardly disposed flange of the outer shell when the innershell is nested with the outer shell.
 10. The apparatus of claim 9further comprising: at least one depression in the outwardly disposedflange of the outer shell.
 11. A method of using an apparatus formodifying a temperature of a product or maintaining a modifiedtemperature of a product comprising the steps of: providing an outershell having an inner surface; disposing a vessel on the inner surfaceof the outer shell wherein the vessel contains a temperature-modifyingmaterial therein, and further wherein the vessel has a three-dimensionalshape; providing an inner shell having an outer surface; nesting theinner shell within the outer shell; and forming a void between the outershell and the inner shell, the void having a shape corresponding to theshape of the vessel, wherein the vessel is contained within the void.12. The method of claim 11 wherein the outer shell and the inner shellare bowl-shaped.
 13. The method of claim 11 further comprising the stepof: providing ribs disposed on the inner surface of the outer shellforming the void when the inner shell is nested within the outer shell,wherein the void is bounded by the outer surface of the inner shell andthe inner surface of the outer shell and the ribs, and further whereinthe vessel is contained within the void bounded by the ribs.
 14. Themethod of claim 11 further comprising the steps of: providing ribsdisposed on the inner surface of the outer shell forming a plurality ofvoids when the inner shell is nested within the outer shell, wherein thevoids are bounded by the outer surface of the inner shell and the innersurface of the outer shell and the ribs; and providing a plurality ofvessels, each vessel contained within one of the plurality of voids. 15.The method of claim 11 wherein the temperature-modifying material isselected from the group consisting of a temperature reducing materialand temperature increasing material.
 16. The method of claim 11 whereinthe inner shell has an inner surface, and further wherein the innershell comprises a plurality of chambers on the inner surface, thechambers separated by at least one wall for holding products within theplurality of chambers.
 17. The method of claim 14 further comprising thesteps of: filling a first vessel with a temperature reducing material;and filling a second vessel with a temperature increasing material. 18.The method of claim 17 further comprising the steps of: providing aplurality of chambers within the inner shell for holding products;providing a first chamber disposed adjacent the first vessel filled withthe temperature reducing material; and providing a second chamberdisposed adjacent the second vessel filled with the temperatureincreasing material.
 19. The method of claim 11 further comprising thesteps of: providing an upper edge on the outer shell and an upper edgeon the inner shell; providing an outwardly disposed flange runningaround the perimeter of the upper edge of the outer shell; providing anoutwardly disposed flange running around the perimeter of the upper edgeof the inner shell; and disposing the outwardly disposed flange of theinner shell on the outwardly disposed flange of the outer shell when theinner shell is nested with the outer shell.
 20. The method of claim 19further comprising the steps of: providing at least one depression inthe outwardly disposed flange of the outer shell; and removing the innershell from the outer shell by separating the flange of the inner shellfrom the flange of the outer shell at the depression.